. Pre-heat oven at 375F/190C/Gas5. Position rack at the bottom of the oven.

1. Prepare and line a medium-sized oven-proof dish with parchment paper. Place the Salmon pieces, skin down.

2. Mix the wet ingredients and spread equally on both pieces. Sprinkle the sesame seeds for garnish.

3. Depending on the thickness of the fillets...bake anywhere between 15-20 minutes. A whitish surface foam will appear and it can be checked for doneness by poking it while feeling a little resistance. Make sure not to over bake.

4. While the fish is baking, the side dish can be prepared. In a large skillet, sauté the onions with the oil until translucent. Add the potatoes and cook almost thoroughly before adding the zucchini, nappa cabbage and seasoning. Once ready, cover to keep it warm for the plating.

5. With a thin metal spatula, gently ease the salmon filet from its skin and serve on the vegetable bed and enjoy.

1. Partly cook the quinoa and edamame separately. Once the quinoa is carefully rinsed and strained, simmer it on low-medium heat for about 10 minutes. The (frozen) edamame is to be steamed for about 5 minutes. These two ingredients could have been prepared ahead of time.

2. On medium heat, sauté the oil and onions for a few minutes. Add the edamame and stir. After another few minutes, add the quinoa and combine. Remove this mix and keep warm under cover.

3. In the same pan, add more oil and sear the Salmon pieces on both sides. Add the prepared Asian-style mix and let it encapsulate the Salmon for 2 minutes or so.

4. Re-add the vegetable and grain mix to complete this dish. Serve and enjoy.

***

Grilling with pesky bugs around.

Another naive, 20 something moment...thinking camping would be a great idea.

. Pre-heat oven at 375F/190C/Gas5. Position rack at the bottom of the oven.

1. With placing the cut half of the squash side down, it should be roasted with surfaced knife slits for vapour evacuation. Note: this step could have been done ahead of time.

2. Prepare and line a medium-sized oven-proof dish with parchment paper. Place the Salmon piece, skin down.

3. Mix all the ingredients except the nuts. Afterwards, spread the mix equally on both Salmon pieces. Sprinkle the crushed nuts for garnish.

4. Depending on the thickness of the fillets...bake anywhere between 15-20 minutes. A whitish surface foam will appear and it can be checked for doneness by poking it while feeling a little resistance. Make sure not to over bake.

5. With a thin metal spatula, gently ease the salmon fillet from its skin and serve on the bed of spaghetti squash and enjoy.

. Pre-heat oven at 375F/190C/Gas5. Position rack at the bottom of the oven.

1. Prepare and line a medium-sized oven-proof dish with parchment paper. Place the Salmon piece, skin down.

2. Mix the wet ingredients and spread equally on both fish pieces. Sprinkle the crushed nuts for garnish.

3. Depending on the thickness of the fillets...bake anywhere between 15-20 minutes. A whitish surface foam will appear and it can be checked for doneness by poking it while feeling a little resistance. Make sure not to over bake.

4. While the fish is baking, the side dish can be prepared. Mix all the above (side dish) ingredients at once and then combine with the hot, boiled potatoes. Cover the mix and wait to serve it with the Salmon.

5. With a thin metal spatula, gently ease the salmon filet from its skin and serve with the side dish and enjoy.

Make the month of February an important reminder that eating well...

does not have to be a punishment to not having that unhealthy, although desirable meal.

Anything DRY gets measured by spooning the overfilled ingredient (never shake the cup) and then level off with a flat edged tool. Exception...Brown sugar should be packed in and leveled.

. Use LIQUID cup measurements for...all LIQUIDS that cannot be leveled like for example butter, yogurt...etc. Measure the liquids at eye level to avoid overdoing what the recipe truly needs.

. OVENS are unfortunately not created equal. Mine is so old that it has reached many degrees off it's norm. It's really worth investing a few dollars to test yours with an appropriate oven thermometer. You'd be surprised how many ovens I've heard about not being where they should have been. Before you lose any more ingredients and much time preparing a new recipe...run to the store...you'll thank me later.

FOOD FAIRY COUNTESSA

Once upon a time...my fairy FOODESSA gloriously came to life. Through her, my constant desire to share my kitchen's heart and curious escapades has come to light. Please join me on my exciting journey.